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Hello, darling dears! It's Emma here, your time-traveling, tutu-loving fashionista, and this week on #TutuTuesday, I'm taking you back to April 9th, 1940!
Now, I know what you're thinking - "1940? That sounds a little drab!" But don't you worry your little cotton socks, my sweet peas! There's always something magical about history, even during times of great change. And believe me, fashion has certainly had its fair share of twists and turns.
My travels this time landed me in the heart of London, a city buzzing with excitement for the upcoming theatre season! While we all love our classical ballet productions (those swan lake tutus! 😍), a little less "white, fluffy" and more "glam, colourful" was what was in vogue in the 1940s! Think:
• A dash of Hollywood glamour! The beautiful actresses of the time, like Rita Hayworth and Veronica Lake, were channeling bold, bright colours with their outfits, inspiring ballet costumes too! So yes, you would have still had your classic white tutu for the ballet staples like Swan Lake, but we're starting to see beautiful reds, blues, yellows, and pinks! And trust me, they were truly mesmerising on stage!
• The power of propaganda! The Second World War was a strong presence in people's minds, influencing all aspects of society. You'd see colours inspired by the war effort, such as strong reds, yellows, and even navy blue - not just in the fashion world, but in theatre and dance too! Think strong, resilient colours mirroring the strength of the nation.
• Ballet becomes more accessible! Now, this might sound like a surprise, but during this period, more and more people were enjoying ballet. It became accessible for even the most common of folk! This is partially thanks to government campaigns aimed at boosting morale during the war - so you'll find more theatres packed full of audience members from all walks of life. This also helped to broaden the themes in ballets and therefore the colours too! Think less classical stories and more "danceable" stories!
• My must-have London piece: a fabulously feminine, pink hat! We all know pink is the perfect colour for a girl, especially in the midst of 1940s wariness and social restrictions. You could spot me strutting through London in my signature tutu and a fabulous pink hat, bringing a splash of joy wherever I went! 😉
On this very day, April 9th, 1940, there were two events that sparked excitement:
Firstly, The * Sadler's Wells Ballet* was performing a special matinée performance at the Wells, showcasing a brand-new choreography, choreographed by none other than the iconic Frederick Ashton - the darling of British ballet! Can you imagine! Such exciting times to be a dance enthusiast in the city! The theatre was practically overflowing with fashion icons!
Secondly, the big-league news came from "The Theatre" which premiered the musical New Faces. While it had no direct relation to ballet, my heart was still buzzing with the thrill of seeing how these creative minds used colours, dance, and theatre for their production. You've got to love a little creativity - even when it's not ballet. 😉
Remember, dear darlings, just because the world seems dark and dreary, doesn't mean that the art world is lacking excitement and joy. There's always something magnificent to find, and with a dash of colour and some fantastic tutu-wearing adventures, even the roughest of times can feel brighter.
So, as always, my lovely friends, do follow my advice: keep twirling, keep dreaming, and don't be afraid to inject a little pink into your life. We're making our own history, one tutu-fied adventure at a time! 💕
Now, go forth and find your inner ballerina, and let's all twirl together for a better world, one step at a time! #TutuTuesday #PinkTutu #TimeTravel #Fashionista #LondonBallet #BalletHistory
See you next Tuesday for another fabulous, fashion-tastic #TutuTuesday blog, darlings! XOXO!
